Accessing the Network Drives (EncoderFiles, Firma, EDE)


About the Network Drives:

  • EncoderFiles: the 'recordings' drive. Raw recordings are stored here before being edited and uploaded to Blackboard via Firma
  • Firma: the 'upload' drive. All videos and notes ready to be posted to Blackboard are sent to this drive and are automatically uploaded to the corresponding folder on Blackboard (provided they are named correctly - see Naming Conventions)
  • EDE: the 'miscellaneous' drive. A temporary or backup storage drive for all files that may be relevant to a class, but not important enough to post.

Using the Network Drives:

  • How Files Get There:
    • While it may seem that files get transferred to these drives by magic, the SuperFlex program is responsible for the automatic transfer of these files (it is constantly checking for new files to copy-and-paste from a folder on the local computer to one of the network drives, depending on how it is set up. See the wiki page for more information).
    • For MOST classroom setups:
      • Notes are saved on the instructor's computer
        • Everything saved in the 'Lecture Notes' folder is sent to EDE
        • Only notes saved in the 'PDF' folder are sent to Firma
      • Videos are saved on the encoding computer and sent to EncoderFiles
    • In order for SuperFlex to perform the copy-and-paste, notes and videos NEED to be saved in the correct corresponding folder for class that was recorded. This folder is usually located on the desktop in a folder starting with an '!'
  • Getting to the Files:
    • Most computers will be automatically connected to the three network drives (click here if they are not).
      • On Macs, there will be an icon on the desktop. Alternatively, you can also open a new Finder window and look at the left panel. Click on eocs1 for Firma or EDE and Helios for EncoderFiles
      • On PCs, you can open 'My Computer' and the drives will be listed under 'Network Locations'
        • Sometimes Firma and EDE are called CURRENT and WebCT on PCs
    • EncoderFiles
      • Open the semester folder (e.g. !Summer2012) and navigate to the class folder to find the recordings
      • Trim the recording and then export to Firma - see below for where to save it
    • EDE
      • Open the folder 'WebCT'
      • Open the semester folder (e.g. !Summer2012) and navigate to the class folder to find notes
    • Firma
      • Open the class folder to find posted videos and notes (DO NOT click the semester folder)
        • Automatic posting to BB only occurs if the videos/notes are saved in the class folder outside the semester folder

Connecting to a Network Drive

  • Network Paths: each drive has a distinct 'path name' that can be used to connect the drive to a computer.
    • Mac form - use this style when connecting to a Mac:
      • EncoderFiles: afp:woojo-desktop01.las.iastate.edu/EncoderFiles
      • Firma: afp:eocs1.engineering.iastate.edu/firma
      • EDE: afp://eocs1.engineering.iastate.edu/EDE
    • PC form - use this style when connecting to a PC:
      • EncoderFiles: \\woojo-desktop01.las.iastate.edu\EncoderFiles
      • Firma: \\eocs1.engineering.iastate.edu\firma
      • EDE: \\eocs1.engineering.iastate.edu\EDE
    • Notice the differences between the two forms:
      • Macs use an afp:// to start the address while PCs use \\
      • Macs use '/' for their addresses, PCs use '\'
  • Connecting a drive to a computer:
    • All drives use the same username/password combination
      • Username: edencoder
      • Password: 3n* (you should know that one by heart)
    • Connecting to a PC:
      • Go to 'My Computer'
      • At the top, click 'Map Network Drive'
      • Pick a drive letter from the drop down menu and enter the server address below in the 'Folder' bar
      • Check 'reconnect at login' and 'connect using different credentials'
      • Click Finish
      • Make sure the username is IASTATE\edencoder and enter the password. Check 'remember my credentials'
      • Click ok
    • Connecting to a Mac:
      • Click on 'Go' or press Cmd-K when Finder is the active program
      • At the top, in the server address bar, type the Mac address for the drive you want to connect
      • Click connect and enter the username/password